Rep. Lofgren Commemorates End of National Hispanic Heritage Month by Supporting Latino Commission Bi
October 19, 2005
Media Contact: Kyra Jennings, 202.225.3072
To mark the conclusion of Hispanic Heritage Month on October 15th, Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-San Jose) calls on the House to pass H.R. 2134, the “National Museum of the American Latino Community Commission Act of 2005.” The bill, co-sponsored by Rep. Lofgren and 74 other Representatives, was introduced in May.
“Despite the history, demography and ongoing contributions that American Latinos have made and continue to make to the cultural life of our country, there remains a great gap in the level and quality of awareness that Americans possess about the rich and diverse character of Latino culture and history,” said Rep. Lofgren.
Latinos are the largest ethnic minority group in the United States, and California is home to 12.4 million Hispanics. By 2025, one of every four Americans will be of Latino heritage. Yet scarcely any of the permanent exhibits in Washington museums commemorate the American Latino community’s cultural contributions. When signed into law, H.R. 2134 will set up a 23 member commission charged with producing a national conference to bring stakeholders, experts, policymakers and other interested parties together to discuss the museum’s viability; a fundraising plan to create an extensive public-private partnership; and a report to congress detailing a recommended plan of action on how to move forward with taking the museum from concept to reality. All of these actions will occur within 18 months of the bill’s passage.
“When American and foreign tourists visit Washington, they expect to gain a better understanding of our collective history and culture,” Rep. Lofgren said. “This bipartisan bill would take the next step toward ensuring that the lessons taught by our premier institutions for the arts, humanities, and American history include a better representation of Latino contributions. Children who visit the museums in Washington should have the opportunity to learn the full history of who we are and who we are becoming as Americans.”
To mark the conclusion of Hispanic Heritage Month on October 15th, Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-San Jose) calls on the House to pass H.R. 2134, the “National Museum of the American Latino Community Commission Act of 2005.” The bill, co-sponsored by Rep. Lofgren and 74 other Representatives, was introduced in May.
“Despite the history, demography and ongoing contributions that American Latinos have made and continue to make to the cultural life of our country, there remains a great gap in the level and quality of awareness that Americans possess about the rich and diverse character of Latino culture and history,” said Rep. Lofgren.
Latinos are the largest ethnic minority group in the United States, and California is home to 12.4 million Hispanics. By 2025, one of every four Americans will be of Latino heritage. Yet scarcely any of the permanent exhibits in Washington museums commemorate the American Latino community’s cultural contributions. When signed into law, H.R. 2134 will set up a 23 member commission charged with producing a national conference to bring stakeholders, experts, policymakers and other interested parties together to discuss the museum’s viability; a fundraising plan to create an extensive public-private partnership; and a report to congress detailing a recommended plan of action on how to move forward with taking the museum from concept to reality. All of these actions will occur within 18 months of the bill’s passage.
“When American and foreign tourists visit Washington, they expect to gain a better understanding of our collective history and culture,” Rep. Lofgren said. “This bipartisan bill would take the next step toward ensuring that the lessons taught by our premier institutions for the arts, humanities, and American history include a better representation of Latino contributions. Children who visit the museums in Washington should have the opportunity to learn the full history of who we are and who we are becoming as Americans.”
Image
